The potential of the new Argos reality.

[Will]

I am writing this in response to some posts that are on here and on social media complaining about the bandwagon effect when referring to the increase in support for the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Blue Jays. Firstly, I acknowledge the existence of bandwagons in both instances. After 5-10 years of minimal to casual at best support of the Raptors, I jumped on the bandwagon in 2013-2014 when the team started to play better. My support for the Blue Jays has been more constant throughout the past 20 years, although I will confess that Rogers treatment of the Argos and the impression that the line between Rogers and the Blue Jays was diminishing did cause my support to waver slightly. However, I certainly acknowledge the existence of the bandwagon here as well and, believe it or not, it does annoy me to. However, given the state that the Argos fanbase is in presently, is it not true that the Argos will have to benefit from this bandwagon effect? I know that there are Argo fans who simply won't attend games at SkyDome for various reasons, however if the transaction and marketing by MLSE is done correctly then I do feel some bandwagoners are inevitable.

Just a thought.

[1argoholic]

Met a guy at Apple Auto Glass in Peterborough the other day who said he used to go to games all the time. Then on the GO Train tonight two buddies who used to go during CNE days all will go again next year. Plenty of Argo fans out there.

[ArgoGabe22]

I'm not sure if the Argos "bandwagon" will involve the 18-30 age range or if the Argos bandwagon will become more like a fan revival involving older fans who had stopped attending games.

[gilthethrill]

Sad thing is I don't think there were any Argo Bandwagon Jumpers when this team was 6-2 after the schedule they were forced to endure.

[Will]

Sad thing is I don't think there were any Argo Bandwagon Jumpers when this team was 6-2 after the schedule they were forced to endure.

Didn't expect there to be.

[Ron]

Bandwagonning does not bug me one bit. If a Toronto sports team gives the casual fan a reason to get excited ... then good for them. Hopefully the same happens with the Argos. Facts are that every Toronto team (minus the Leafs) need bandwagon fans to flourish

The Jays recent attendance success has proven that the day of the week does not matter in this city. Another "Argo fan" excuse destroyed.

[Antwon]

Bandwagonning does not bug me one bit. If a Toronto sports team gives the casual fan a reason to get excited ... then good for them. Hopefully the same happens with the Argos. Facts are that every Toronto team (minus the Leafs) need bandwagon fans to flourish

The Jays recent attendance success has proven that the day of the week does not matter in this city. Another "Argo fan" excuse destroyed.

I believe there was some bandwagonning for the Argos and the run to the 2012 Grey Cup. Lots of people talking Argos then.

[Ballstothewall]

Bandwagonning does not bug me one bit. If a Toronto sports team gives the casual fan a reason to get excited ... then good for them. Hopefully the same happens with the Argos. Facts are that every Toronto team (minus the Leafs) need bandwagon fans to flourish

The Jays recent attendance success has proven that the day of the week does not matter in this city. Another "Argo fan" excuse destroyed.

I found it funny listening to all the Blue Jays finding excuses for why there was so many empty seats when the Jays were playing In NY. They just don't get, that Americans want to play other American teams. Which is why even after the Jays won back to back WS, they were still 1 of the worst drawing visitor teams in MLB

[D-Gap-Willie]

I found it funny listening to all the Blue Jays finding excuses for why there was so many empty seats when the Jays were playing In NY. They just don't get, that Americans want to play other American teams. Which is why even after the Jays won back to back WS, they were still 1 of the worst drawing visitor teams in MLB

Every MLB team is aware of this phenomenon of a Canadian team being a very poor draw at the gate. Even more aware are the executives of sports broadcasting networks in the USA, who want no part of the low ratings which come with a Blue Jays broadcast in the USA. However the NFL seekers in Toronto, insist that it would all be different for football, and that those south of the border would flock to watch the Toronto Beavers vs Dallas Cowboys - but the NFL poobahs know the truth, and this is a leading reason that there will never be NFL football in Toronto.

[Deerkeeper]

Every MLB team is aware of this phenomenon of a Canadian team being a very poor draw at the gate. Even more aware are the executives of sports broadcasting networks in the USA, who want no part of the low ratings which come with a Blue Jays broadcast in the USA. However the NFL seekers in Toronto, insist that it would all be different for football, and that those south of the border would flock to watch the Toronto Beavers vs Dallas Cowboys - but the NFL poobahs know the truth, and this is a leading reason that there will never be NFL football in Toronto.

I can remember reading an article some years back about the effect that the then two Canadian based American baseball teams had on MLB. It said all teams budgeted for their lowest revenues when ever the Jays or Expos were in town.

[AngeloV]

Every MLB team is aware of this phenomenon of a Canadian team being a very poor draw at the gate. Even more aware are the executives of sports broadcasting networks in the USA, who want no part of the low ratings which come with a Blue Jays broadcast in the USA. However the NFL seekers in Toronto, insist that it would all be different for football, and that those south of the border would flock to watch the Toronto Beavers vs Dallas Cowboys - but the NFL poobahs know the truth, and this is a leading reason that there will never be NFL football in Toronto.

I agree with that. That's why I always say that if the NFL really wanted to be in Toronto, they would have already been here. Fact is, they already have the market without needing to put a team here. They have a national Canadian TV deal, and they sell tons of licenced merchandise.

[1argoholic]

They have the sheep in TO that flock to bars and follow the boring brand which will be touch football sooner than later. I've wasted too much of my time in my life watching that hyped up CRAP!

[jerrym]

I believe there was some bandwagonning for the Argos and the run to the 2012 Grey Cup. Lots of people talking Argos then.

I agree. There was a very different, positive atmosphere in 2012.

[Rocket]

I believe there was some bandwagonning for the Argos and the run to the 2012 Grey Cup. Lots of people talking Argos then.

Lol I didn't see any bandwagon jumping in 2012 in matter of fact I remember the exact opposite. i remember how dissapointed I was in how the cfl was going to throw this massive party for the 100th grey cup and how little or no interest was picking up through out the season especially the last few home games. Even the playoff game against Edmonton was pathetic. That was a huge mistake and missed opurtiniuty for the Argos to have gained if they properly marketed the team that year. Grey cup was a packed house because all off Canada practically came down for the game.

[Rich]

The truth is that the Blue Jays bandwagon is killing the Argos in a number of ways. Blue Jays success sucks up all the media attention and therefore all the attention of the city's casual sports fans. I bet there would have been at least 21k or 22k fans at Fridays game if the Jays were out of contention.

And I think Blue Jays success puts a longer term hit on Argos fortunes by reinforcing the major league/minor league labels on Toronto sports teams. The bright lights/big city allure of the potential World Series makes the Argonauts and the CFL look like small potatoes by comparison. Remember the Argos attendance dropped from 31k in 1992 to 16k in 1994, and in some ways the team's image never recovered. I'm afraid another Blue Jays World Series may make this thing unsalvageable no matter what TannenBELL throws at it next year.

[argolio]

The Blue Jays bandwagon has been killing the Argos since 1985.

[ArgoRavi]

The truth is that the Blue Jays bandwagon is killing the Argos in a number of ways. Blue Jays success sucks up all the media attention and therefore all the attention of the city's casual sports fans. I bet there would have been at least 21k or 22k fans at Fridays game if the Jays were out of contention.

And I think Blue Jays success puts a longer term hit on Argos fortunes by reinforcing the major league/minor league labels on Toronto sports teams. The bright lights/big city allure of the potential World Series makes the Argonauts and the CFL look like small potatoes by comparison. Remember the Argos attendance dropped from 31k in 1992 to 16k in 1994, and in some ways the team's image never recovered. I'm afraid another Blue Jays World Series may make this thing unsalvageable no matter what TannenBELL throws at it next year.

On the bright side, it looks like we don't have to worry about Toronto bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

[Will]

I agree. There was a very different, positive atmosphere in 2012.

Only during the week of the Grey Cup.

[argolio]

On the bright side, it looks like we don't have to worry about Toronto bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

I expect Toronto will try for 2028 if L.A. doesn't get 2024.

[ArgoRavi]

I expect Toronto will try for 2028 if L.A. doesn't get 2024.

Well, here's hoping that L.A. gets 2024 then. Also, Calgary may bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics so there is little chance that the IOC would award two Olympics in a row to Canada.